Don’t see one of those every day- Mitsubishi 3000GT
Discussion
Ok, so this may be my financial undoing, but I’ve bought another Mitsubishi 3000GT. Also known as the GTO when it’s a Japanese import.
I’ve wanted one since I played Gran Turismo as a kid 20+ years ago, which I think is the main reason most people buy them!
I had an almost identical one about 8 years ago and completely rebuilt the engine in it, only for it to have too much rust for me to sort on my own, and I struggled to find someone to do it for me so I ended up breaking it for parts.
I did say I’d not get another as I know how prone to rust they are, especially the uk ones, but my criteria for a fun car was pretty specific:
- interesting engine
- comfortable enough that I can do the odd 50 mile commute to Manchester in
- fits 2.5 people in
- interesting enough so I can take my 3 year old to car shows in it
- not too expensive as it’s just a fun car for me and with having the aforementioned 3 year old and a fledgling alpaca business we don’t have much spare cash
- not a saloon car to get my wife on side!
It really came down to one of these again, or a Porsche 944 in the under £10k fun car bracket. My other favourites such as Evos or Celica GT4 are way out of budget now, I can’t believe evos are £20k+ nowadays!
I swayed towards another 3000GT as I just didn’t want a 4 cylinder, it’s a simple as that really. I know the Porsche would have been more fun to drive but for one that doesn’t need welding they are heading past £10k. Plus 4 cylinder and maximum of 1 turbo!
I ideally wanted a MK1 with the popup headlights, but after nearly buying a red one which turned out to be very rusty I gave up on that idea as there are so few that haven’t rotted away.
I found this one on Facebook marketplace and it wasn’t horrendously far from me. When I went to see it, I was initially put off by it as it’s a little tatty and has a few jobs that need doing. I was also unsure about the underneath condition. I initially said no, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and eventually made a high enough offer for it to be mine
I collected it today from the lovely family who have had it for quite a while. It had had extensive welding before it stopped being used and looks to be solid underneath which is a massive relief! From the MOT history it looks like it’s done less than 100 miles in the last 3 years.
After the hour journey back from collecting it, I happily have no new issues to report.
The main things I like about it:
- only 76k miles
- interior is immaculate
- original Philips nav unit with cd changer and cassette storage under it! It has an aux button so hopefully I can add Bluetooth
- unmodified and original other than the wheels
- later car, so 6 speed box
- carbon interior pack
- cruise control works! It’s literally a box with pulleys and cables!
- virtually everything on the car works!
- being the final year of manufacture, it has the climate unit which the screen doesn’t fail on
- adaptive dampers work
Negatives are:
- the clutch is really really heavy. It seems to be getting easier so I’m hoping it’s just a bit seized but worst case it needs a new clutch
- steering is slightly offset (my first thing to sort!)
- both bumpers and the spoiler need paint
- dings down both doors
- one or both of the turbos are a bit noisy
- only the rear speakers work, it might have something to do with the aftermarket (and made by Ericsson!) Bluetooth phone kit
- gear gaiter is tatty
- the wiper blades are the worst thing in the entire world
- the underneath while solid needs prepping and the surface rust needs treating
- the alarm goes off when you open any door. Every time!
- the active aero doesn’t work
It had a personalised plate which when taken off returned the car to the WAD numberplate that it has now, I’m not a fan, though my wife finds it hilarious, so it might get a different one!
So my plans are for it to be kept original, other than the wheels (which I like).
When I have a bit more cash I’m going to get the bodywork sorted. I still have the spoiler from my old car, so I might put that on for now as it’s tidier. The wheels also need doing, I’m trying to convince my wife that dark gold/bronze will look good but failing so far.
Over winter I’m going to strip back the underseal, treat and paint it. It’s solid now and I want it to stay that way.
Other than that a general tidy up, sort a decent but OEM looking stereo and just enjoy it.
Damn it, I need to finish sorting my garage out!
[url]
https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/595412/20250...
I’ve wanted one since I played Gran Turismo as a kid 20+ years ago, which I think is the main reason most people buy them!
I had an almost identical one about 8 years ago and completely rebuilt the engine in it, only for it to have too much rust for me to sort on my own, and I struggled to find someone to do it for me so I ended up breaking it for parts.
I did say I’d not get another as I know how prone to rust they are, especially the uk ones, but my criteria for a fun car was pretty specific:
- interesting engine
- comfortable enough that I can do the odd 50 mile commute to Manchester in
- fits 2.5 people in
- interesting enough so I can take my 3 year old to car shows in it
- not too expensive as it’s just a fun car for me and with having the aforementioned 3 year old and a fledgling alpaca business we don’t have much spare cash
- not a saloon car to get my wife on side!
It really came down to one of these again, or a Porsche 944 in the under £10k fun car bracket. My other favourites such as Evos or Celica GT4 are way out of budget now, I can’t believe evos are £20k+ nowadays!
I swayed towards another 3000GT as I just didn’t want a 4 cylinder, it’s a simple as that really. I know the Porsche would have been more fun to drive but for one that doesn’t need welding they are heading past £10k. Plus 4 cylinder and maximum of 1 turbo!
I ideally wanted a MK1 with the popup headlights, but after nearly buying a red one which turned out to be very rusty I gave up on that idea as there are so few that haven’t rotted away.
I found this one on Facebook marketplace and it wasn’t horrendously far from me. When I went to see it, I was initially put off by it as it’s a little tatty and has a few jobs that need doing. I was also unsure about the underneath condition. I initially said no, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and eventually made a high enough offer for it to be mine
I collected it today from the lovely family who have had it for quite a while. It had had extensive welding before it stopped being used and looks to be solid underneath which is a massive relief! From the MOT history it looks like it’s done less than 100 miles in the last 3 years.
After the hour journey back from collecting it, I happily have no new issues to report.
The main things I like about it:
- only 76k miles
- interior is immaculate
- original Philips nav unit with cd changer and cassette storage under it! It has an aux button so hopefully I can add Bluetooth
- unmodified and original other than the wheels
- later car, so 6 speed box
- carbon interior pack
- cruise control works! It’s literally a box with pulleys and cables!
- virtually everything on the car works!
- being the final year of manufacture, it has the climate unit which the screen doesn’t fail on
- adaptive dampers work
Negatives are:
- the clutch is really really heavy. It seems to be getting easier so I’m hoping it’s just a bit seized but worst case it needs a new clutch
- steering is slightly offset (my first thing to sort!)
- both bumpers and the spoiler need paint
- dings down both doors
- one or both of the turbos are a bit noisy
- only the rear speakers work, it might have something to do with the aftermarket (and made by Ericsson!) Bluetooth phone kit
- gear gaiter is tatty
- the wiper blades are the worst thing in the entire world
- the underneath while solid needs prepping and the surface rust needs treating
- the alarm goes off when you open any door. Every time!
- the active aero doesn’t work
It had a personalised plate which when taken off returned the car to the WAD numberplate that it has now, I’m not a fan, though my wife finds it hilarious, so it might get a different one!
So my plans are for it to be kept original, other than the wheels (which I like).
When I have a bit more cash I’m going to get the bodywork sorted. I still have the spoiler from my old car, so I might put that on for now as it’s tidier. The wheels also need doing, I’m trying to convince my wife that dark gold/bronze will look good but failing so far.
Over winter I’m going to strip back the underseal, treat and paint it. It’s solid now and I want it to stay that way.
Other than that a general tidy up, sort a decent but OEM looking stereo and just enjoy it.
Damn it, I need to finish sorting my garage out!
[url]
https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/595412/20250...
Edited by james6546 on Monday 26th May 17:52
Edited by james6546 on Monday 26th May 17:52
I got a few jobs done yesterday:
- I adjusted the clutch, and despite it still being heavy and weird feeling, I don’t have to slam it to the floor to change gears and don’t miss 3rd when flooring it now!
- fitted the front numberplate so badly I’ve not even taken a pic
- added an aux cable to the original stereo so I can connect a Bluetooth adaptor for now
- ordered a vibe micro amp which connects to the iso loom and some cheapish vibe front speakers to replace the ones which have turned out to be blown
- ordered mats, wiper blades and a gaiter from eBay
- used 2/3 of a tank of fuel doing about 100 miles! It’s not a small tank either
- disconnected the srs module so my son can sit in the front, as you can’t deactivate just the passenger airbag
- booked it in at an auto electrician for next Tuesday to sort out the alarm going off whenever I open a door!
I’m still working on the bronze wheels thing, and failing so far…
- I adjusted the clutch, and despite it still being heavy and weird feeling, I don’t have to slam it to the floor to change gears and don’t miss 3rd when flooring it now!
- fitted the front numberplate so badly I’ve not even taken a pic
- added an aux cable to the original stereo so I can connect a Bluetooth adaptor for now
- ordered a vibe micro amp which connects to the iso loom and some cheapish vibe front speakers to replace the ones which have turned out to be blown
- ordered mats, wiper blades and a gaiter from eBay
- used 2/3 of a tank of fuel doing about 100 miles! It’s not a small tank either
- disconnected the srs module so my son can sit in the front, as you can’t deactivate just the passenger airbag
- booked it in at an auto electrician for next Tuesday to sort out the alarm going off whenever I open a door!
I’m still working on the bronze wheels thing, and failing so far…
bangerhoarder said:
Good effort! They scare so many people with engine horror stories, as well as the rust, that they seem to be vanishing rather than being preserved.
Definitely the right idea with the wheels. That'll lift it hugely.
How much of a nightmare are the turbos to get to?
Not easy, kind of down low on the engine at the front and side. Definitely the right idea with the wheels. That'll lift it hugely.
How much of a nightmare are the turbos to get to?
They actually look new so I’m hoping it’s just an air leak somewhere, it certainly goes fast enough and doesn’t smoke.
I’ve not actually said what it’s like to drive, older feeling than I remembered or expected but I think in a good way. I know these were slated as being dull to drive when they came out, but compared to modern electric steering it’s actually loads easier to gauge how fast you can take corners (very bloody fast!). I can’t tell the rear wheel steering is actually doing anything mind, and the stiffer setting on the suspension is far too stiff!
I’m doing a 1:40 each way trip to the office in Sale tomorrow, wish me luck!
Clay bar and polished it, there is still lots of overspray from the spoiler paint job so I will do it properly with the DA polisher and cutting polish at some point.
I’ve also put some orange indicators back on, can’t decide which I preferred.
Also with some help from the GTOUK forum I’ve deactivated the alarm. Fantastic news!
I’ve also put some orange indicators back on, can’t decide which I preferred.
Also with some help from the GTOUK forum I’ve deactivated the alarm. Fantastic news!
1:40 drive to work completed with no issues. I ve decided the screeching noise at high revs is probably a boost leak, not sure how I m going to diagnose where
It does need some soundproofing though, and the exhaust is a tad too loud.
The more I drive it the more I like it, despite the seating position and the fact that I only just about fit in it at 5ft 10!
It does need some soundproofing though, and the exhaust is a tad too loud.
The more I drive it the more I like it, despite the seating position and the fact that I only just about fit in it at 5ft 10!
Edited by james6546 on Thursday 29th May 10:10
TheRoteEngineer said:
james6546 said:
It s faster than I expected it to be!
It s a 6 speed, though 5th and 6th aren t much different.
Interesting, the six speed 'box appears to be significantly superior (strength and durability wise) to the 5 speeder from what I have read?It s a 6 speed, though 5th and 6th aren t much different.
Either way, the weak point is the teeth on the output shaft!
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